On December 1, 2022, Natalie and Colin matched on Hinge, “the dating app designed to be deleted.” After some playful banter and flirty text exchanges, Colin picked Natalie up from her DC apartment for the first time on December 6. Colin sat outside her apartment for 10 minutes making sure the right songs were queued up before finally texting her to come down to the lobby. Natalie picked a cocktail bar called Jane Jane, unaware that Colin was anticipating a sit-down dinner, and the two trays of Cheez-Its served at Jane Jane did not hit the spot. Regardless, four hours, two drinks, lots of talking, and one hungry Colin later, they were smitten. On December 12, Colin took Natalie on their second date at Virtue Feed and Grain, in Old Town Alexandria. Colin knew she was the one right then and there after a lively dinner, and Natalie knew she was done with first dates forever. On December 28, Colin asked Natalie to make their relationship “official” and three weeks later told her he loved her. Natalie didn’t wait a beat before saying it right back. Fast forward almost two and a half years to July 11, 2025. Colin told Natalie that they’d be meeting up with Bobby Ayres for happy hour drinks in Old Town. Natalie noticed that Colin had been acting sketchy all week, since this weekend in July was suspiciously empty on their shared calendar in the middle of a busy summer. When they stepped outside their house to get in the Uber, Colin had an umbrella in hand. Little did she know, tucked in the folds of the umbrella was a small box with a stunning diamond ring designed just for her. She just thought he was brilliant for remembering an umbrella with the chance of scattered storms in the forecast. They arrived at the Old Town waterfront, and without pausing, checking his phone, or looking around, Colin declared, “Looks like Bob isn’t here yet, let’s go for a walk.” He took her hand and led her around the docks behind Blackwall Hitch. He pointed out a boat that Bobby had worked as a first-mate on, and while she was distracted, he retrieved the ring box from the umbrella. Colin led the two of them down a very specific path in Founder’s Park - with a little behind-the-scenes help from her cousin and talented photographer Jess - and took Natalie’s hands in his. He looked her in the eyes and asked “are you ready?” Then he got down on one knee and asked the easiest question Natalie would ever have to answer.